Welcome to the BuyNebraska.com Blog!
Learn more about our members and the products offered on BuyNebraska.com part of GROW Nebraska. GROW Nebraska™ is a non-profit organization, whose mission is focused on creating sustainable economic development. We do this by supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses through promotion, access to markets and education

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Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Six years ago, Andrew Vrbas was a
budget-strapped college student making soap in his college apartment. He had an
idea for a business that would help change the lives of people around the world.

After just five years in
business, his Pacha Soap Co™ enterprise is already doing that.

The business that he and his
wife, Abi, started in Hastings in 2013 has donated 3.4 million bars of soap to
people in developing countries, has created 256 jobs in Nebraska and around the
world, has provided 74,078 children with hand-washing education and has created
wells to provide 4,000 people with clean water. And in 2017, Whole Foods
honored Pacha Soap with its 2017 Supplier of the Year award.

It all started with Andrew’s 2010
trip to Peru.

“As a junior in college, I didn’t
know that a trip to volunteer for others would ignite a life change in me,”
Andrew said. “My trip took me to Peru, South America, to volunteer at a local
school and then later on, a local construction crew. There, I witnessed basic
needs not being met, many of the things that our society takes for granted.”

An idea sparked in Andrew’s mind:
what if he could help the Peruvians by starting his own for-profit business
back in the United States?

After some research, he decided to
create organic handcrafted soap under the name Pacha Soap. All of the
ingredients to make soap can be found near the equator, which is where the
people lived that he wanted to help.

When
starting his business, Andrew sought membership and advice from GROW Nebraska.
Thanks to the organization’s special low membership rate for college students,
Andrew was able to test the viability of his Pacha soap at GROW Nebraska retailstores. Andrew and Abi also gleaned advice from other GROW Nebraska members and
from the organization’s educational trainings and workshops.

The
social entrepreneurs set up their company so that a portion of profits from
each bar of soap is directed toward helping locals develop regenerative,
self-sustaining business and occupational training, such as soap making, well
drilling and hygiene education. Its mission is to “empower people in developing
nations with sustainable ventures, creating healthier communities by disrupting
the cycle of poverty.”

As Pacha Soap grew, so did the
opportunity to create global change. They established a soap production shop in
Burundi, Africa, in 2014. At the same time, they started building operations
and adding employees in the Hastings headquarters. They started selling
products at Whole Foods Market, and in 2016, the company launched an exclusive
product called Froth Bombs™ with Whole Foods. This new product allowed Pacha to
train and help people in developing nationals drill clean water wells.

Today,
Pacha Soap employs more than 50 people in Nebraska and has empowered locals in
Burundi and Kenya, Africa, to start their own soap enterprises. And, the
company is currently in the process of assisting locals in Peru and the Congo
to do the same.

And Pacha Soap’s work is just
beginning. This summer, the company is releasing several new products: salt
blocks, two new limited edition froth bombs (Bubbles the Whale and Twinkle
Toes), three new limited edition soap blends (Dead Sea Clay, Coconut Lemon and
Watermelon Peppermint) and is releasing a new product, Extra Scrubby Whipped
Soap.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Cheryl Hughes has loved eating popcorn since she was a little girl, especially caramel corn.

When she learned that her favorite popcorn snack shop at Kearney’s Hilltop Mall would be closing in 2000, she decided to take action.

“My initial goal was to continue to offer caramel popcorn to the area,” Cheryl said.

Nearly 20 years later, Cheryl and Gary Hughes’ HR Poppin’ Snacks Gourmet Popcorn pops more than 20,000 pounds of popcorn seeds annually from their production shop in Gibbon. They sell their popcorn in more than 135 flavors at stores around the country.

Their stellar customer service, high-quality round popcorn and willingness to share and give back have helped them become a rural Nebraska success story.

“I am able to help people a lot through this business,” Cheryl said. “You wouldn’t think that selling popcorn would allow you to do that.”

Gary and Cheryl Hughes

Starting a popcorn business

When the Munchville snack shop owner announced he was closing his Hilltop Mall location in 2000, Cheryl was happily employed as a home health nurse. However, she also loved popcorn. Her husband, Gary, operated a successful restaurant equipment service business, and the Munchville owner asked if they would be interested in purchasing his equipment.

Gary and Cheryl decided to buy the equipment, and Cheryl learned how to operate it and make the popcorn she loved. Since she didn’t want to quit her nursing job to work in a retail popcorn store, she decided to sell her popcorn wholesale.

She rented a kitchen in Shelton the first two years, and she began learning how to produce great popcorn and how to be a business owner. Besides nursing, Cheryl previously worked with the Federal Crime Commission and the Council on Alcohol and Drugs in Lincoln.

Gary brags about his wife’s abilities to problem solve and make things happen.

“She’s very passionate about what she does,” Gary said. “She’s very good at what she does.”

Cheryl joined GROW Nebraska as one of its first members, and is grateful for the organization’s marketing help. She sought advice from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Food Processing Center, the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and her health inspector.

“I rely on my health inspectors a lot,” Cheryl said. “A lot of people look at the health inspector as an enemy, but I look at them as someone who can help. I ask a lot of questions from a lot of people. I use my resources.”

In their quest to make the best popcorn possible, the Hughes discovered the magic mushroom popcorn developed through years of trial and error by Nebraskan B. Keith Heuermann of Phillips.

The magic mushroom seeds pop 100 percent round, have a tender hull and don’t leave any unpopped kernels in the bottom of the batch.

HR Poppin’ Snacks started producing quality popcorn in various flavors, packaged it into clear 7-ounce snack bags and distributed it to be sold at convenience stores, gifts shops and holiday stores.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Summer is here, and that means camping, cookouts, hiking and so much more! As you explore the beautiful trails and parks in Nebraska, make sure you're stocked up on the best. Here are 5 must-haves for the perfect summer adventure.

1. Ogallala Cream Can

Every good adventure starts and ends with a delicious meal! And whether you need to feed 5 or 50, the Ogallala Cream Can Supper Company has you prepared. One pot meals have never been so versatile!

2. Nature's Coffee Kettle

Need a little caffeine to get geared up for the trail in the morning? Nature's Coffee Kettle can go with you - in the car, by the campfire, anywhere! Because of it's innovative bag, it's light weight and easy to pack, but it's also packed with flavor.

4. JR Lures

5. Nyobrafting Gift Certificate

And, of course, the best adventures take place in the best locations with friends and family! Kayak or tube down the beautiful Niobrara River for memories that will last a lifetime. Lose yourself among the beautiful scenery, cool water, and plentiful wildlife!

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s
finally time for summer barbecues and steaks on the grill! Several GROW
Nebraska members, including longtime member Holen One Farms, offer sauces,
marinades and seasonings to create the perfect flavor for your summer grilling.

Spice Up Summer Steaks With Holen One Java Rub

“Something magical happens when the
blend of aromatic spices, peppers, turbinado sugar, and coffee is rubbed into
ribs, roasts, steaks, or chicken before grilling. The coffee enhances the
natural meat flavors, leaving the grilled meat a beautiful coffee brown.”

That’s the description of Holen One
Farms’ best-selling product, the Java Rib & Roast Rub, that can be used as
a dry rub or all-purpose seasoning to make that perfect summer steak or pork
chop.

Holen One Farms of rural Loomis started their catering and
seasonings business at about the same time that GROW Nebraska started and was
one of its first members.

Renee Holen said the partnership with GROW Nebraska has made their
products more visible. Besides their Java Rub, they also sell a BBQ dipping
& glazing sauce and a marinade.

Mike and Renee Holen ventured into the catering and food business
after raising five kids and working for 30 years in farming. They initially
started with a food concession business that allowed them to travel the country
to sell products at fairs, carnivals and other special events. Eventually, so
many customers wanted to know the secret behind their tender and juicy Steak-on-a-Stick and pork loin that the idea
to sell their Original Recipe Marinade began.

After 20 years of catering and
selling Holen One Food Products, the Holens are now slowing down a bit. They
still cater smaller local events.

Meanwhile, their food products
continue to grow in popularity and are available (along with 3,200 other
products) on GROW Nebraska ecommerce sites: BuyNebraska.com, eBay and Amazon, as well as at grocery stores around the state, such as Hy-Vee,
Whole Foods, Russ’s Market and Super Saver. Products are also available on
their website at holenonefarms.com.

Meet the Author: GROW
Nebraska member Kristine Jacobson is a former journalist and non-profit
executive who is now putting her writing and marketing skills to work telling the stories of small businesses and organizations. Her work includes everything from
designing publications, such as newsletters and annual reports, to writing
press releases, blog articles and feature stories. Her articles have been
published in “Nebraska Rural Living,” “Nebraska Life Magazine,” “Her View From
Home,” “Chicken Soup for the Soul Angels & Miracles” and in newspapers and
other print and online publications. She is also the founder and editor of Nebraska Family Magazine, an e-magazine that provides encouragement and inspiration to Nebraska families.